The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit follows the story of Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in his quests as a young hobbit. An Unexpected Journey is the first part of a two-part movie series for The Hobbit, in which Baggins finds himself in a quest to help defeat the dragon Smaug. This leads to his meeting with Gollum, from whom Bilbo receives the One Ring.

For anyone anxious to see how Lord of the Rings began or just looking for a good fantasy adventure tale, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey should be on the list of “Must Watch.”

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Not quite ready do be disavowed from moviegoer’s minds, Tom Cruise reintroduces super-spy Ethan Hunt to audiences in the newest installment of the Mission: Impossible series. This time around, the MI team makes its way to Moscow, where they must deal with a major terrorist attack, government conspiracies and all the other things that make these movies perfect to watch. If you want to see some massive explosions and espionage galore, make sure you stop into theaters for Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.  (See Nikki Kelley’s review of Ghost Protocol.)

Underworld: Awakening

For this fourth installment of the Underworld series, Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein team up to direct Kate Beckinsale in her return to the gritty vampires-versus-werewolves series. This time around, it seems that the human race has discovered both the vampires and lycans and is conducting a war to eradicate the races. Will Beckinsale survive the war? Will the humans succeed in their quest to destroy vampires and werewolves alike? You’ll have to stop into theaters to find out.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

In the follow-up to the hit movie Journey to the Center of the Earth, John Hutcherson returns to reprise his role as Sean Anderson. Young Anderson finds himself receiving a distress call from a mysterious island that shouldn’t exist. He and father Hank, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, embark on a quest to this mysterious island, to help rescue whoever has sent the call for help. If you’re excited to see more action with extinct predators, survival on islands or just a great family film, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island will be a perfect destination on Feb. 10.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Nicholas Cage returns to the big screen as Johnny Blaze, the motorcycle stuntman and nighttime superhero known as the Ghost Rider. This time around, the devil is seeking to do his deeds through the villain Blackout, a half-demon with superhuman strength and reflexes, as well as the power to remove light near him through the evil powers granted to him by Mephistopheles. This film isn’t out yet, but the buzz is already beginning on the newest installment to the Ghost Rider franchise. Stop into theaters on Feb. 17 to check it out.

The previous three movies, which also starred Tom Cruise, haven’t always delivered such a high level of excitement to viewers. I was actually surprised when I saw the fourth movie because I had low expectations from watching the previous movies. The newest film is very modern and obviously more technologically advanced, but that’s what makes it even more interesting to watch.

Before seeing this movie, I was told that it is extremely long (and it is) but I definitely didn’t mind watching 132 minutes of Ethan Hunt (Cruise) making his comeback. I do feel that Cruise is a well-defined actor and his popularity has slowly declined throughout the years, but this movie has dignified his comeback.

Ghost Protocol has a similar plot to the earlier Mission: Impossible films. This time, Hunt is assigned a mission to stop a man who has a codename “Cobalt,” because he is planning to fire a nuclear missile from Russia to the United States. In other words, Hunt and his team are in charge of stopping a nuclear war from taking place.

Since Hunt and the entire IMF (an imaginary agency made for the movie) have just been blamed for bombing the Kremlin, Hunt and his team have to be extra careful, so they’re disguised in all the moves they take. The filmmakers also make a point of working in some emotional drama regarding Hunt’s wife.

Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol is an overall great movie. It shows what a good action movie (with a little romance thrown in) should be. Viewers will be blown away by all the vehicle crashes, bombings of buildings, and we can’t forget about Cruise’s magnificent scene in which he climbs to the 134th floor of the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai.

This movie is definitely one of those films that you can watch over and over and never grow tired.

Typically when I think of a perfect pop-punk album, I think of either The Upsides by The Wonder Years or Real Talk by Man Overboard. But after hearing Under Soil and Dirt by The Story So Far, my opinions have varied much further.

Released in 2011, Under Soil and Dirt proved to be one of the most outstanding albums in the pop-punk genre. This album is, of course, familiar in the pop-punk aspect, which brings forth your typical punk rock and pop punk music in a mix. Yet it also brings a modern twist that has a great catchy flow.

If you’re looking for whiny vocals and beat downs, don’t listen to this album. This is an album full of catchy, thought-out vocals that will make connections with your everyday life. This album hits deep, dealing with real-life situations, friendships and relationships. It’s the perfect opportunity to feel what some are searching for.

Some know that pop-punk isn’t always known for the lyrical quality, but The Story So Far raises the bar with what I would say is a brilliantly written album with lyrics like “Never again will I let someone in” and “You have no idea how unproductive it is to fall in and out of you as often as I do,” from the song States and Minds.

For all those pop-punk lovers out there who haven’t given Under Soil and Dirt a chance, anytime is a good time to discover such an awesome album that raises the bar for any other pop-punk bands. If I were you, I’d defend pop-punk and give this album a listen.

Viewers who haven’t seen any of the previous movies must see the other three movies in the Twilight saga before going to see Breaking Dawn or they won’t understand what’s going on.

If I had to rate the movie on a scale of 5 stars, I would give it 4. The film feels rushed but still includes the most important details of the first half of the book.

I also think the actors have improved in their performances since the earlier Twilight films. Kristen Stewart was horrid in the Twilight and New Moon films and showed progress in the film Eclipse, but she really embraces the role of Bella in this film. Stewart shows more emotions and doesn’t seem stiff as she had in the previous movies.

Robert Pattinson also improves in Breaking Dawn: Part One;  he seemed like he was in constant pain in the earlier films, but he  embraced and accurately portrayed the Edward character from the book series. The other actors and actresses have done a marvelous job throughout all of the films.

Breaking Dawn: Part One was quite enjoyable, but it is not for children due to several graphic scenes. This film is also great for seeing with your friends and a good movie for couples.

Balance and Composure’s newest album, Separation, is a clear indication that the band has separated itself from its old, familiar sound and ventured into a new sound that many have come to love.

Released in May 2011, Separation is familiar in the way most Balance albums start off: slow with intensity, but by the end, minds are blown by the passionately screamed songs that will bring goosebumps to your skin.

Balance and Composure’s Separation is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Many teens can likely relate to every song on this album, but be forewarned that Balance goes to the darker places most are afraid to go.

This album reveals heartbreak at its rawest. Lyrics like “Take, I am leaving all your deceiving. You broke me with your ignorance” from the song I Tore You Apart in My Head put heartbreak into a lyrical form that will move you.

Being the third and best album Balance and Composure has released on No Sleep Records, Separation sets the bar for all its albums to come.

This album has a very distinct style. I would say by far this is one of the most creative albums to have ever come out of the indie/pop punk scene.